Resident Support Specialist-Recovery House

Columbus House, Inc.
Job Posting: Full Time (40 hours/week), FLSA Non-Exempt, Essential
Resident Support Specialist

VEVRAA Federal Contractor: Priority Referrals of Protected Veterans Requested

Company Overview & Mission
Columbus House opened its doors in 1982 to provide services for men and women at least 18 years of age. Our goals quickly broadened from the mere provision of food and shelter and simple survival, to understanding and working toward overcoming the problems which cause people to become homeless.
Columbus House, along with its core of loyal supporters, friends, and volunteers, has remained committed to fulfilling its mission: "To serve people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, by providing shelter and housing and by fostering their personal growth and independence."

Purpose
Under the direction of the Recovery House Coordinator, the Residential Support Specialist for the Recovery House registers and provides supervision, safety, organization, and program management support to all House residents, on-site Recovery Support Specialists, and volunteers.  The Resident Support Specialist networks with the greater New Haven shelters and social service system and collaborates with other Columbus House residential staff in order to provide an environment that reflects the core values of Trauma Informed Service: Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration, and empowerment.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High School Graduate or equivalent.
• Demonstrated the ability to manage, motivate and direct consumers.
• Complete knowledge base of all aspects of the delivery of residential services for the homeless population.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with a deadline-oriented mindset.
• Able to lead educational groups.
• Proficient is Microsoft Office and other common desk top applications.
• Able to effectively use the local network of substance abuse, mental health, and social services providers.
• Familiar with mental health, substance abuse and dual diagnosis issues and group dynamics.
• Knowledgeable of local housing and vocational/entitlement programs.
• Culturally competent; must possess the capacity to work within a team and foster teamwork.
• General understanding of crisis intervention skills, confidentiality, boundaries, universal precautions.
• Able to meet all documentation requirements.
• Able to foster a Harm Reduction philosophy within the work environment.
• Strong empathic skills coupled with a high degree of reliability and punctuality.
• Valid drivers’ license with a good driving history.

Responsibilities

• Perform regular wellness rounds at both Harkness and Recovery House.
• Maintain hourly logs.
• Supervise up to seventeen male clients to ensure compliance with all house rules.
• Counsel clients to assist them with following their recovery service plans.
• Assist in ensuring security of the House.
• Oversee intake, departures, and daily roster and programs.
• Lead House meetings.
• Provide transportation to appointments for clients as appropriate.
• Collaborate with other agencies and social service providers.
• Enforce house rules and maintain incident log.
• Supervise resident drug screens.
• Supervise resident chores.
• Attend weekly and monthly agency, program, and network meetings.
• Complete all required reports/incident logs.
• Enter data into computer as directed.
• Remain on-site to perform essential functions during emergency situations as designated by the Chief Executive Officer.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Supervised by: Recovery House and Respite Manager
Pay: $18.00/hr.
Schedule:  Monday- Friday 4pm-12am

Benefits  

• Medical, dental, vision benefits are offered along with other additional voluntary coverages with full time employment
• 401 K retirement plan with employer matching contribution
• Paid time off 
• 10 paid holidays

Please send your resume and a cover letter to Human Resources Generalist, Columbus House Inc., 586 Ella Grasso Boulevard P.O. Box 7093, New Haven CT. 06519 or fax to 203-773-1430 or email to hr@columbushouse.org or apply at www.columbushouse.org 

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer: Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities Encouraged to Apply